…Declare Eba Island Non-Negotiable
…Appeal to Gov. Aiyedatiwa for Adequate OSOPADEC Funding to Fulfil Its Developmental Mandate
By Coastal Renaissance News
Oba Segun Williams Akinyomi, Amapetu of Mahin Land
Traditional rulers, community leaders and stakeholders across Mahin Land have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the Ondo State Government, while demanding greater administrative inclusion, infrastructure development and protection of the kingdom’s territorial interests.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the Pan-Mahin Land Leaders’ Summit held on Saturday, 25th August, 2026, at Asaron Hall, Ode-Mahin, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The summit, chaired by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Segun Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu and Paramount and Prescribed Authority of Mahin Land, brought together traditional rulers, Olojas, Chiefs, community leaders and other representatives to deliberate on the social, economic and political development of Mahin Kingdom.
At the summit, the leaders declared their “unalloyed loyalty” to President Tinubu and Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, while endorsing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The leaders particularly commended ongoing and planned infrastructure initiatives, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which is expected to traverse Ilajeland, describing such projects as important catalysts for economic growth and regional connectivity.
Call for Mahin LCDA
A major resolution of the summit was the appeal to Governor Aiyedatiwa to create a dedicated Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for Mahin Wards.
According to the leaders, the administrative arrangement would promote equitable access to governance, infrastructure and development, particularly in view of the existing LCDAs serving Ugbo Wards alongside the Ilaje Local Government administration.
The summit argued that a dedicated LCDA would strengthen grassroots governance and provide a more effective administrative structure for addressing the developmental needs of communities in Mahin Land.
To translate the resolutions into concrete action, seven specialised committees were approved. They include committees on Alternative Dispute Resolution; Mahin Land Development Fund; Eba Island Strategic and Steering; Boundary and Land Matters; Skills and Professional Database; Investment and Economic Development; and Political and Government Engagement.
The summit further resolved that political appointees of Mahin extraction should periodically present stewardship reports to the leadership, while political actors were encouraged to build strategic alliances capable of delivering greater socio-political benefits to the kingdom.
Eba Island Declared Non-Negotiable
The summit also made a strong declaration on the status of Eba Island in Atijere, insisting that the island remains an “indelible and non-negotiable territory” of Mahin Land within Ondo State.
The State Government was urged to deploy adequate security personnel and infrastructure to protect the area and guarantee the safety of residents and economic activities.
On infrastructure, the leaders called on the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to prioritise the immediate completion of the Aboto–Atijere Road, which they described as critical to the development and connectivity of the area.
They also appealed to the Ondo State Government to provide adequate funding for OSOPADEC to enable the commission to fully discharge its developmental mandate.
Unity as Foundation for Development
Beyond infrastructure and political representation, the summit placed strong emphasis on unity within the traditional institution and the wider Mahin community.
The leaders resolved to deepen cohesion among Obas, Olojas, Chiefs and Baales, stressing that unity across the traditional hierarchy remains essential to achieving sustainable development and effectively advancing the interests of Mahin Land.
In a significant institutional decision, the Pan-Mahin Land Leaders’ Summit was formally established as a permanent consultative organ responsible for monitoring development, security and growth across Mahin Land.
The participants pledged to implement the resolutions without delay, signalling a renewed push for coordinated leadership, stronger political engagement and accelerated development across the kingdom.
The communiqué was signed on behalf of the drafting committee by Hon. Prince Oluwole Omowole, Chairman; Hon. Timilehin Olowofoyeku, Secretary; and Mr. Peter Tawose, Member.
